Singlish

Available for over a year

If you grow up being told that one of your first languages, Singlish, is actually a bad version of an already existing language, you kind of get this sense that “I'm just bad at language,” says Bibek Gurung, a former linguist who grew up in Singapore speaking Singlish with his family and friends, while schools and the government tried to quash it. "Language is a fundamental human skill. And to just have this sense that you're bad at this very fundamental skill really does a number to your self esteem and your abilities to communicate in general. Find out more about the episode and read the transcript at theallusionist.org/singlish. Content note: this episode contains references to corporal punishment of children. And there is one category B swear. This episode was produced by me, Helen Zaltzman, with music and editorial assistance from Martin Austwick of palebirdmusic.com. Find @allusionistshow on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Xitter, Threads, Bluesky, TikTok, etc. The Allusionist will no longer be updated on BBC Sounds, but new episodes will be available in the other podplaces and at theallusionist.org.